AimThis study aimed to explore patient barriers to accessing services, current technology ownership/use and digital device preferences for accessing health information/health service delivery. Additionally, it aimed to explore the Theoretical Domains Framework and the acceptability of future eHealth solutions in bariatric surgery.MethodsThis mixed‐method study (survey and semi‐structured interviews) was conducted in a bariatric surgery service in an Australian public hospital. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and the qualitative data were deductively and inductively analysed.ResultsThis study included 117 participants (n = 102 surveyed and n = 15 interviewed). Most participants were aged ≥51 years (n = 70, 60%), and two‐thirds were female (n = 76, 65%). One in three participants reported barriers to accessing services (n = 38, 37%), including parking, travel time, and taking time off work. Most participants preferred to receive or access additional health information via email (n = 84, 82%) and were willing to engage with health professionals via email (n = 92, 90%), text messages (n = 87, 85%), and telephone (n = 85, 83%). Deductive analysis of interviews generated three themes: ‘Knowledge’, ‘Social influence’ and ‘Behavioural regulation, goals and environmental resources’. The inductive analysis generated one theme: ‘Seeing a place for eHealth in service delivery’.ConclusionThis study's findings can potentially influence the development of future eHealth solutions. Text message, email, and online approaches may be suitable for delivering further information and resources to patients, particularly regarding diet and physical activity. Online health communities are being used by patients for social support and may be worth further investigation. In addition, developing a bariatric surgery mobile application may be beneficial.
Aim
Very low carbohydrate high fat diets (VLCHF) are increasingly popular for weight loss and diabetes management, but the risk implications of long‐term adherence to a high‐fat‐diet remain unclear, especially in high‐risk populations. This review aimed to examine adherence, weight loss, diabetes‐ and cardiovascular disease (CVD)‐related risk markers in adults consuming VLCHF diets.
Methods
Online databases were searched for randomised controlled trials ≥3 months duration that met a pre‐defined macronutrient prescription: VLCHF ≤25%E carbohydrate, >35%E fat; low fat (LF) ≥45%E carbohydrate, ≤30%E fat; and reported energy, saturated fat (SFA), weight, blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure (BP). Studies were excluded if the macronutrient prescription was not targeted (n = 32); not met (n = 17) or not reported (n = 13).
Results
Eight studies included: 1217 commenced; 922 completed overweight and obese adults. Diets were isocaloric moderately energy‐restricted, closely monitored with ongoing support from dietitians, physicians, and/or nurses. Four studies reported non‐adherence beyond 3 months (n = 3) and 6 months (n = 1) despite interventions of 12, 15 and 24 months. VLCHF diets were high in fat and SFA (fat 49%‐56%E; SFA 11%‐21%E) compared to LF diets (fat 13%‐29%E; SFA 5%‐11%E). All groups achieved significant weight loss and improvements in BP and blood glucose. LDL‐C reduction favoured LF, P < .05; increased HDL‐C and reduced triglyceride levels favoured VLCHF, P < .05.
Conclusions
VLCHF and LF diets with moderate energy restriction demonstrate similar weight loss and improvements to BP to 3 months. However, adherence is likely poor without intensive support from health professionals. Dietary SFA should be monitored to ensure recommended intakes, but longer‐term studies with high adherence are required to confirm the level of CVD‐risk and potential harms.
Introduction
Literature describing the impact of dietary intake on weight outcomes after bariatric surgery has not been synthesized. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence regarding any association between diet composition and weight outcomes post-bariatric surgery.
Methods
CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, MEDLINE and Scopus were searched for adult studies up to June 2021 that assessed any association between dietary intakes (≥1-macronutrient, food group, or dietary pattern) and weight outcomes at 12-months or longer after bariatric surgery. Risk of bias and quality assessments were conducted using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklists and the NHMRC’s Level of Evidence and Grades for Recommendations. Study findings were presented according to the time of post-surgery dietary intake assessment (≤12months, between 12 and 24 months, ≥24months).
Results
5923 articles were identified, 260 were retrieved for full text screening, and 36 were eligible for inclusion (9 interventional including five randomized-controlled trials, and 27 observational cohort studies; sample sizes: 20–1610; total sample: 5065; follow-up periods: 1 year–12 years; level of evidence: II to IV, risk of bias: low to high). Findings on the association between long-term weight outcomes and dietary composition up to 24-months were mixed. After 24-months, studies consistently suggested no significant associations between weight loss and macronutrient composition or core food group patterns, or between carbohydrate, protein or food group patterns and weight recurrence. A single cohort study reported a weak association between diet quality score and weight-recurrence after 24-months.
Conclusion
There was no strong evidence to support significant associations between diet composition and weight outcomes post-bariatric surgery. The heterogeneity in study design and quality may reduce generalizability to external populations. Individualized dietary recommendations may be useful to support long-term post-surgery weight outcomes. More studies are needed to define and measure diet quality in this patient cohort.
Registration
PROSPERO (CRD42021264120)
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